BY DAPO AKINREFON

LAGOS – CHAIRMAN of the Presidential Committee on Security Awareness and Civic Responsibilities, Dr. Lateef Adegbite, has appealed to Nigerians to desist from acts capable of posing a threat to national security.

Dr. Adegbite, who made the appeal against the backdrop of pockets of post-election violence in parts of the country, which erupted following the outcome of last Saturday’s Presidential election, described the incidents as unfortunate.

He argued that since 1999, Nigerians have enjoyed a stable democratic culture, adding that the beauty of democracy is that it “affords the electorate the opportunity to replace a non-performing leadership every four years.”

According to him, “as it is with all contests, the 2011 elections inclusive, has produced winners and losers. What is expected, however, is for the winners to be magnanimous in victory and losers to embrace defeat with dignity. After all, another opportunity will represent itself in four years time. Today’s losers could be tomorrow’s winners. That is the beauty of democracy.”

He, therefore, appealed to all contestants with grievances, who participated in the elections, to seek legal redress and at the same time, caution their supporters not to resort to violence.

Adegbite, who is also Secretary-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, however, commended Nigerians and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for thus far, peacefully conducting the April 2011 general elections.